Play until you drop!!

Marco had a play day at the Moresi’s house with us yesterday and played ball until he dropped, lol!

First Morning Glory!

Yesterday we saw our first Morning Glory blossom!

Shooting Star!

Last evening while sitting on the front porch thinking about the events that have unfolded over the past few weeks I had the luck to capture this falling star with my I-Phone!

Maybe it's a hopeful sign!

Beth and Marco

Beth, Marco and a new hair hat enjoying the day. My two most favorite people in the world!

Love ya babe!

Lord in Heaven if you're listening "Cancer Sucks!!"

I'm just saying!!!

Fight Like a Girl!

Yesterday Dawn and Stephanie surprised use by hanging signs on our deck when we returned home from Beth’s chemo treatment. This one was my favorite, lol!!

Chemo Treatment #2 5/25/2011

Wired for sound!

Chemo Drugs :-(

Yesterday saw us back at Atlanta Cancer Care for round two of Beth’s chemo treatment and marking the half way point in the process! We also visited with Beth’s Oncologist who was very pleased with her progress and reported that the tumor has indeed shrank in size so apparently the chemo is doing its job.

Beth was in good spirits during the chemo treatment listening to her new G4 I-Phone and even eating lunch however as we saw during round one she became disoriented and very tired by the end of the treatment. After returning home she slept most of the afternoon and evening. She woke this morning upset and sore but after taking her meds and having some breakfast see fell back to sleep. I would suspect that she’ll sleep most of the day while the chemo drugs do war with the tumor that appears to be losing! Round two seems to be following the same course as round one.

Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers.

Beautiful Summer Evenings!

Oh those soft summer nights in Georgia when the humidity is low and the temperatures are in the seventies makes for a perfect evening on the deck!

Garden Flowers May 2011

Not bad for a city boy!!

Sunday Impala spa day!

Yesterday was spa day for the Impala that included an oil change and a complete car wash!

Morning squirrel patrol!!

Checking for squirrels!

The yard is clear! No squirrels in the area!

New Prickly Pear Cactus

Yesterday I finally found a source for Prickly Pear Cactus for my garden so I bought three plants for $10.00. The Prickly Pear will winter over in the south and make an interesting addition to the garden. Oh did I mention they are prickly!!!

Prickly pear cactus are found in all of the deserts of the American Southwest, with different species having adapted to different locale and elevation ranges. Most require course, well-drained soil in dry, rocky flats or slopes. But some prefer mountain pinyon/juniper forests, while others require steep, rocky slopes in mountain foothills.

There has been medical interest in the Prickly Pear plant. Some studies have shown that the pectin contained in the Prickly Pear pulp lowers levels of "bad" cholesterol while leaving "good" cholesterol levels unchanged. Another study found that the fibrous pectin in the fruit may lowers diabetics' need for insulin. Both fruits and pads of the prickly pear cactus are rich in slowly absorbed soluble fibers that help keep blood sugar stable.

May 20 2011 first Hummingbird sighting!

Last week I put out the Hummingbird feeder and none to soon as we had our first Hummer sighting Wednesday!! They are early this year by about three weeks!

Warm days and napping dogs!

Eve napping under the patio table!

Marco napping on top of the patio table!

Steak Night!

Thursday night was BBQ’ed steak night and the weather was fantastic! We were so proud of Marco for guarding Beth’s steak while she ate, lol!!

Decatur's Concerts on the Square

Fantastic music in the square.

Many families brought picnic dinners.

Concerts on the Square are presented every Saturday night in May beginning at 7 pm and feature an eclectic mix of music. The Iberian Pig is located just off the square. It was great fun!

Dinner at the Iberian Pig

Last night we went to dinner with Beth's sister Kristi and her husband Pete to the Iberian Pig in Decatur, GA. The food and company were fantastic!

For more visit: http://www.theiberianpigatl.com/

Marco's Healing Powers

Never underestimate the healing powers of a cuddling sleeping Chihuahua!

Beth and Marco this morning.

Garden Pictures

Doggy Windchimes.

Our $10.00 green lawn frog!

Side garden.

Lola's garden and the Morning Glories.

Tuff Mornings

To combat Beth’s stage four breast cancer the Doctor is administering double doses of chemotherapy which has been hard on her especially in the mornings. Yesterday after a tuff morning and after a shower and some lunch she was able to enjoy an afternoon on the deck. Beth’s sister Stacey visited and provided her with a therapeutic foot massage which she really enjoyed.

Stuffed Shells!

Our very kind neighbors have banded together to supply us with dinners over the weekend. Sam had his wife from across the street brought us these delicious pasta shells stuffed with Ricotta Cheese, Italian bread and an apple pie.

Thanks so much!

New Haircut!

One of the unfortunate side effects of Chemotherapy is hair lose so Beth decided to have her hair cut short. Today we visited her favorite hair stylist Courtney who gave my beautiful wife a new sassy look. I really like it!!

Thanks Courtney.

Back for a Neulasta white cell booster shot!

Chemotherapy works by killing fast-growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, chemo can’t tell the difference between cancer cells and fast-growing healthy cells, including red and white blood cells. As a result, one of the most serious potential side effects of some types of chemotherapy is a low white blood cell count.

Today Beth had an injection of Neulasta a white blood cell booster to help support her natural defenses and help reduce the risk of infection in patients with some tumors receiving strong chemotherapy like she is.

Car Groomer!

Marco at the car groomers! We bathed Beth's car!

New Patio Umbrella

Our new $19.99 patio umbrella cover arrived today and took 5 minutes to install. Sure beats $179.00 for a new umbrella!!!

Chemo Treatment #1

Yesterday we began our treatment for stage four breast cancer by having our first of four double dose Chemo threatments.

When you start thinking that you're life is tuff remember all these brave folks having chemo therapy today. I'm just saying!!!

I thought I was humbled by Heart Disease!! Seeing these folks fighting their individual battles with such dignity tugs at my heart!

Bravery is understated in this room!

Outpouring of support!

Beth and I want to thank our family, friends and neighbors for putting pink ribbons on all the mailboxes in the neighborhood and for all the great food. Beth and I are overwhelmed by your thoughts, prayers and kindness!!

Thanks Dawn and Stephanie!

Beth's Cancer

Three weeks ago Beth was diagnosed with having an 8MM stage four cancer in her right breast. After exhaustive testing it was determined that her left breast and lymph nodes were clear and a round of chemo and radiation treatment which began yesterday was prescribed. After those treatments she will undergo a mastectomy and breast reconstructive surgery. Three weeks ago we began a long journey neither of us saw in our future however we are determined to do battle with this cancer and win.

Two ends of the same dog, lol!!!

Beth's picture of Marco!!

My picture of Marco, lol!!!

This is my blue rug!!!!!

Poor Eve found herself sharing her favorite blue rugs with some not so wanted company the other day!!

Solar Powered Daisy!

Beth has a love for Daisies so while visiting a Family Dollar store I spent a dollar and bought her a solar powered one, lol!

New Blue Morning Glories

Yesterday I bought a Blue Morning Glory. I moved one of the trellises from the side yard and remounted it and planted the Morning Glory in Lola's garden. It gets 4/5 hours of full sun there and the soil is very rich so we should have a nice display in a few weeks.